# SD Job-Seekers' Support Group **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [April 26, 2008, 11:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sd-job-seekers-support-group/446955 "2008-04-26T11:58:49Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 52
**Author:** ![DoperChic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a9a28c/32.png) [@DoperChic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DoperChic)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2009, 4:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sd-job-seekers-support-group/446955/1021 "2009-08-05T16:27:09Z")
> [@Quartz](#): > > It’s almost showtime for me. I have an interview in the Shetlands on Thursday and fly up tomorrow. But I leave the house this afternoon. Good luck! I’m sending good thoughts your way! > [@Dusty\_Rose](#): > > Good Luck to both of you, I’ve got my fingers crossed. > > DoperChic- I think your resume is really good, but I LOVE your cover letter. I have the hardest time writing those, and yours is one of the best I’ve seen. Thanks so much! I got the formatting idea from a web search. I also have a hard time writing these. The advantage to this layout is that it provides a lot of structure to the document, making it much easier to write. > [@The\_Tao\_s\_Revenge](#): > > I’m pretty hesitant to offer advice, but one thing to consider is maybe changing “Skilled in the art of creating challenging, fun, and motivating activities that address the needs of a wide variety of students.” to “Skilled in the art of creating challenging, fun, and motivating activities that address the needs of a wide variety of students _toward achieving academic success_.”. > > What I think that would do is more strongly say “hey I’m the teacher for good student performance”. > > I love the contact information layout. It’s quick and easy to find information. One thing that looks cluttered to me is the layout for the rest of the page. some things are centered, some not, and the dates seem to be floating out there randomly. Consider formating your dates and experiance so they line up. > The resume is full of good keywords. The more of those the better. > > I uploaded a tweaked version with the suggestions applied. google docs was weird and it’s formatted kinda weird still hopefully shows what I mean. > > [http://docs.google.com/View?id=dfst56vr\_0m3cb9pgs](http://docs.google.com/View?id=dfst56vr_0m3cb9pgs) Thanks for the advice. You’re right on point with the layout. My actual resume doc is lined up properly. For some reason uploading it to google docs then posting to the web makes it go all wonky (love that word!). I’m hesitant to make the other change your suggested. The sentence is already quite a mouthful! I’ll see what I can do to make it more compact while still getting in your idea of promoting student success. If not, I mentioned it elsewhere enough that I should be covered. ---
**Author:** ![DoperChic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a9a28c/32.png) [@DoperChic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DoperChic)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2009, 4:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sd-job-seekers-support-group/446955/1022 "2009-08-05T16:37:46Z")
I want to add in to my resume that I am working toward my master’s degree. How should I word this? To mirror the formatting for my bachelor’s degree I have this: > [@](#): > > **BSED Mathematics** – XYZ University – 2005 > > **Mathematics 7-12 Certification** – 2006 > > **M Ed. Mathematics Education** – XYZ University – Currently Enrolled Or I’m thinking: > [@](#): > > **M Ed. Mathematics Education** – XYZ University – Anticipated 2012 I’m leaning more toward the second. ---
**Author:** ![DoperChic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a9a28c/32.png) [@DoperChic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DoperChic)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2009, 6:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sd-job-seekers-support-group/446955/1023 "2009-08-05T18:08:10Z")
Well, I just applied for the position. It starts in 2 weeks, so I should hear back soon if they’re interested. I’m so nervous!! I absolutely hate having to wait for things like this. Even if I don’t get it, I just want to know either way. Wish me luck - and patience! 🙂 I wish all of my fellow job-searchers the same! ---
**Author:** ![BiblioCat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ed8c4c/32.png) [@BiblioCat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BiblioCat)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2009, 10:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sd-job-seekers-support-group/446955/1024 "2009-08-05T22:32:09Z")
Well, I’ve got some good news. Nothing job-wise, but I’ve FINALLY started getting my unemployment benefits. My employer had fought it and after a lengthy appeals process, the decision was reversed. So at least I won’t be homeless after next month! ---
**Author:** ![Dusty\_Rose](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ba8739/32.png) [@Dusty\_Rose](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dusty_Rose)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2009, 10:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sd-job-seekers-support-group/446955/1025 "2009-08-05T22:36:56Z")
> [@BiblioCat](#): > > Well, I’ve got some good news. Nothing job-wise, but I’ve FINALLY started getting my unemployment benefits. My employer had fought it and after a lengthy appeals process, the decision was reversed. So at least I won’t be homeless after next month! That IS good news, glad to hear it, **BiblioCat**. Now you can focus on other things. ---
**Author:** ![Quartz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quartz/32/267_2.png) [@Quartz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quartz)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2009, 8:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sd-job-seekers-support-group/446955/1026 "2009-08-09T20:15:44Z")
I’m back and I’m on tenterhooks. And I have another interview on Wednesday. ---
**Author:** ![Quartz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quartz/32/267_2.png) [@Quartz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quartz)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2009, 12:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sd-job-seekers-support-group/446955/1027 "2009-08-10T12:39:36Z")
And the Shetlands have turned me down. I’m almost certain it was a complete fix, but I got to see Lerwick. ---
**Author:** ![twickster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ec9cab/32.png) [@twickster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/twickster)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2009, 2:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sd-job-seekers-support-group/446955/1028 "2009-08-10T14:31:19Z")
No movement at all on the job front, but I’m picking up addl. freelance work, which is good. (Just had my first movie review in an online newsletter devoted to the arts here in Philly). I starting to freak out, given that I had just used up the last extension of unemployment benefits, completing my 65th – !! – week. It turns out, though, that there’s one upside of the shitty economy: they just extended me for another 13 weeks. That will take me out to a year and a half – !!! – of unemployment. My fucking god. ---
**Author:** ![Khadaji](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Khadaji](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Khadaji)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2009, 7:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sd-job-seekers-support-group/446955/1029 "2009-08-10T19:50:43Z")
Congrats on the freelance stuff! Sorry to hear that there is no other movement! ☹ ---
**Author:** ![Quartz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quartz/32/267_2.png) [@Quartz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quartz)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2009, 8:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sd-job-seekers-support-group/446955/1030 "2009-08-12T08:00:19Z")
Showtime once again. ---
**Author:** ![Khadaji](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Khadaji](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Khadaji)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2009, 11:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sd-job-seekers-support-group/446955/1031 "2009-08-12T11:07:40Z")
Good luck! (once again) ---
**Author:** ![Dusty\_Rose](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ba8739/32.png) [@Dusty\_Rose](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dusty_Rose)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2009, 10:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sd-job-seekers-support-group/446955/1032 "2009-08-12T22:56:57Z")
How’d it go, Quartz? Can I uncross my fingers yet?? ---
**Author:** ![Quartz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quartz/32/267_2.png) [@Quartz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quartz)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2009, 11:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sd-job-seekers-support-group/446955/1033 "2009-08-12T23:11:09Z")
It’s almost certainly bad news. ☹ ---
**Author:** ![Quartz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quartz/32/267_2.png) [@Quartz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quartz)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2009, 9:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sd-job-seekers-support-group/446955/1034 "2009-08-20T09:41:25Z")
I had an interview elsewhere this morning. As of Monday, I’ll be bringing home the princely sum of £5 ($7) / hour. It’s better than nothing and it’s an in to the NHS. ---
**Author:** ![Khadaji](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Khadaji](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Khadaji)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2009, 1:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sd-job-seekers-support-group/446955/1035 "2009-08-20T13:00:07Z")
Glad you found something - and I hope it leads to something you want! ---
**Author:** ![alexandra](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e68b1a/32.png) [@alexandra](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alexandra)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2009, 8:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sd-job-seekers-support-group/446955/1036 "2009-08-20T20:37:51Z")
> [@Quartz](#): > > I had an interview elsewhere this morning. As of Monday, I’ll be bringing home the princely sum of £5 ($7) / hour. It’s better than nothing and it’s an in to the NHS. Well done - like you say, it’s a start. ---
**Author:** ![Bam\_Boo\_Gut](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/8c91f0/32.png) [@Bam\_Boo\_Gut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bam_Boo_Gut)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2009, 9:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sd-job-seekers-support-group/446955/1037 "2009-08-20T21:52:52Z")
Hello all, Boo here. Down to a three day week doing admin for the electrical installations company. I was on to three days earlier in the year, but picked up the other days working for a picture framer - I’ve done picture framing before, many years ago, anyway it didn’t pan out since business has really fallen flat here. I went back to full time with the electrical stuff, now back to three days. Twice in the last couple of months we’ve had to wait to get paid and now the boss needs to drop my wages - even on the three days. The fact is he’s going under and I’ve got to leave the sinking ship. He’s never going to fire me, he’ll just cease to be able to pay me. The bizarre thing is that in some ways things have never been better. The week before the first downsizing I got a two year bank loan to finish building my small house - I bought the land about two years ago and now I’m living on it. I’m by no means finished with the building, but my loan is less than my rent was - however that is now of course a huge challenge. Thank goodness I didn’t go for the bigger loan the bloody bank was trying to talk me into - and thank goodness hurricane Bill is still going north. My daughter has a job, and I got a better car earlier this year. The kid’s been accepted to college - but I’ll never find the wherewithall to send her - she was promised assistance through several institutions but they’ve now all backtracked. I left school at 15 (although both my parents were university educated) so I was really hoping my kid would get along better than I have. I’ve got to pull my finger out and get networking - so I guess this post is to give me the push to do so. I’m in a small small place - some days there are no jobs at all in the paper. Thanks everyone for all the pointers especially msmith - your point #1 - I burnt a bridge last week I could have done without doing that. ---
**Author:** ![msmith537](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d9b06d/32.png) [@msmith537](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/msmith537)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2009, 10:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sd-job-seekers-support-group/446955/1038 "2009-08-20T22:58:10Z")
I really hate dealing with headhunters and HR people because I find every last one of them to be imbeciles. One called me the other day about a position and is like “I don’t see anything on your resume that jumps out as having management experience in this field”. I’m like “how about on my resume where I describe my five years experience as a manager in this field?” And then he was like “ok, what does this company do” to which I’m like “well, they are the leading provider of software and consulting services in the field you are supposed to be representing (think of someone representing the automotive field not knowing who Ford was). Quite frankly the fact that you don’t know that questions my confidence that you can adequately represent me to…well…anyone.” Really there is no need to deal with headhunters anyway. If one calls with something, I’ll check it out. But there is no reason why I can’t go on LinkedIn to find a senior practice director at whatever company I’m interested in. Who would know better if they are hiring? ---
**Author:** ![Dusty\_Rose](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ba8739/32.png) [@Dusty\_Rose](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dusty_Rose)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2009, 7:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sd-job-seekers-support-group/446955/1039 "2009-09-13T19:41:29Z")
I’m bumping this to find out how things are going for everyone. ---
**Author:** ![vivalostwages](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/d07c76/32.png) [@vivalostwages](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vivalostwages)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2009, 8:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sd-job-seekers-support-group/446955/1040 "2009-09-13T20:11:47Z")
Well, I’m taking the medical transcription class now. It will take a while to build up the skills, but I plan to become certified or registered eventually, and then go into it full time. Meanwhile, at my part time (forever) job, the state is slashing the college budgets even further, there won’t be any raises that I can foresee, and they won’t be hiring anyone FT, at least not in my dept. So I’m biding my time. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sd-job-seekers-support-group/446955.md?page=51) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sd-job-seekers-support-group/446955.md?page=53)